JAMES MCGRATH OF NOTTINGHAM CONVICTED OF CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES IN MILTON KEYNES
In March 2014, James McGrath, a 43-year-old man from Denewood Crescent, Nottingham, was convicted of sexual offences and harassment involving a child in Milton Keynes.McGrath pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity, one count of sexual grooming, and one count of harassment during a hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court on Friday, February 28.
The investigation revealed that McGrath began communicating online with the victim, a 14-year-old girl (whose identity is protected by law), at the start of the previous year.
He initially posed as a young man to engage her.
He then continued contact via text messages and, during Easter 2013, traveled to Milton Keynes to meet the girl, during which sexual activity occurred.
McGrath later admitted to the victim that he was older than he previously claimed.
When the girl expressed her desire not to see him again, he responded with harassment in the form of thousands of abusive text messages.
He was arrested in September 2013 and formally charged on October 10, 2013.
Detective Constable Gary Huff of Milton Keynes Force CID commented: “McGrath posed as a young man to entice his victim to speak with him and eventually meet, which led to the sexual offences.
This conviction demonstrates that such offences are taken seriously, investigated carefully, and justice is pursued.” He added, “We advise parents to monitor their children’s online interactions to prevent them from being put at risk.” The Child Exploitation Online Protection (CEOP) Centre has developed resources at http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk, which provides guidance and safety tips for children aged five to 16, as well as their parents and carers.
McGrath’s sentencing is scheduled for March 27 at the same court.
